Super Seniors

Prep report

Success Eases Pain Of Turmoil

Pensacola High School is on a mission, and winning a state championship in Class 6A football is just part of it.

Following the 1995 season, Pensacola's football program was in turmoil as eight players were charged with sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old girl who is learning-disabled.

Those players are gone, as are the principal, two assistant principals, football coach Dave Wilson and an assistant coach.

This fall, Demontray Carter and his teammates wanted to send a message to the community that not all Pensacola High players are bad people. Carter certainly has helped the school grab better headlines. On Friday, Pensacola (12-1) will meet Tampa Hillsborough in the semifinals of the Class 6A playoffs.

Carter represents Pensacola on Florida's Super Seniors, announced today. The 24-player all-star team forms the core of this summer's team that will play Georgia in the 13th annual all-star game between the states June 28 at the Georgia Dome.

The 24 players are selected by The Orlando Sentinel for the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. Players are picked from at least four of the five classifications and at least 14 of the 20 FACA coaching districts. No more than one player per team is chosen.

Carter told Chris Scott of the Pensacola News Journal, ''With all the turmoil we went through in spring, we're trying to make a statement to the community that this not a reflection on the entire football team. We have a lot of good things and positive things happening to this football team.

''Just because we had that trial, we want to show we do have good kids. We're not a bad program. We were always molded before the scandal but after that happened we became closer together, and we are more conscientious of what we do and what we say around people.''

Carter is the No. 1 runner to come from the western Panhandle since Smith rushed for a state record 8,804 yards from 1982 to '86 before continuing his success at the University of Florida and with the Dallas Cowboys.

Carter, who played three years of varsity football to Smith's four, is believed to be second only to Smith in Escambia County history, closing in on 6,000 yards.

Mike Bennett, Pensacola's new coach, and Wilson, who coached Carter his sophomore and junior years, said the back's improvement this year is noticeable.

''He is everything that I thought he would be,'' Bennett said. ''He is just stronger. He is by far the best player in the state. We are playing some of the best teams in the state this year, and I haven't seen anyone better. His speed and his vision are his two greatest assets.''

Wilson: ''I've seen him three or four times, and the biggest thing is he has hit a speed I hadn't seen the first two years I was there. I saw people who had tremendous angles on him, and he hit a speed I had never seen before.''

Carter agrees he is faster this year.

''The biggest difference for me is I have been able to break more touchdowns and I have been able to outrun more people,'' Carter said.

Carter, 5 feet 11 and 178 pounds, is deceptively strong, Wilson said, and has a real love for the game. His coaches say they have timed him in 4.4 seconds for 40 yards.

''It's a rare combination,'' Wilson said. ''He's not very big in the legs, but very strong in the lower body lifts. And, a lot of it is natural.''

The team includes a quarterback - Tampa Catholic's Kenny Kelly - who passed for 2,300 yards; and three backs - Carter, Oak Ridge's Maxwell Joseph and Miami Central's Najea Davenport - who rushed for more than 5,000 yards.

The offensive line averages 6-4 3/4 and 283 pounds, and the defensive front averages 6-4 and 265 pounds.

Only one player on the 24 already has announced his college commitment. Punter T.J. Tucker of New Port Richey River Ridge has said he will sign with Florida.

Carter has indicated to coaches he enjoyed unofficial visits to Auburn, Tulane and Florida State this fall. He is considered to be wide open and told the Pensacola News Journal's Scott on Monday after practice he has set official visits to South Carolina, Auburn, Tennessee and Florida State.

The state playoffs, not recruiting, are on his mind.

''The win over Riverview gave them an indication they think they can play with anybody in the state,'' Scott said.